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Del Norte Historic District Highlights

Developed by Dr. James Collier Norton, Del Norte Place was opened to the public in 1927. Conceived as an English Cottage style neighborhood, further development of surrounding areas enclosed Del Norte Place on three sides by park greenbelt. Later construction featured Ranch and Period Revival homes to be showcased in Dr. Norton’s “beautiful subdivision.”

The neighborhood represents a range of architectural styles popular between World Wars I and II, and most homes have little or no alterations. Historians say Del Norte Place is an excellent example of the residential subdivision practices that shaped Phoenix in the mid-twentieth century. Architecturally, the district is important for its range of historic styles and building methods.

Promoted as “a beautiful subdivision” and in “the countryside west of town,” the earliest homes were designed in the English Period Revival styles. By the 1940s, the more elaborate French Provincial Ranch appeared, some built by Del Webb. Early Ranch, Bungalows and Spanish-style homes are also represented.

The upscale neighborhood was in a highly desirable location for homebuyers of the day, across the road from sprawling Encanto Park. With the addition of the Encanto Golf Course in 1937, Del Norte Place was now surrounded on three sides by a recreational green belt. Homes built after this time were promoted as “in the heart of the park.”